
Nature Tales & Trails
Writing: Book projects; nature and science writing & science communication, with links to my journalism and academic writing.
Walks, hikes & talks and workshops: guided nature and geology hikes/walks; mindful hikes; fossil walks; geology, environment and fossil-themed workshops.
Upcoming Hikes & Walks
Join us for a fossil walk or mindful hike -
Join us for a fossil walk or mindful hike -
“Joined Nature Trails for a fossil tour in Portmarnock. It was very interesting with 2 very knowledgeable people leading it, putting information into context replying all questions and suggesting material about the topic. Suitable for everyone that likes to know about fossils. Very interesting and highly recommend!”
“We joined Anthea and Koen on 10th Nov 2024 in Portmarnock for the Fossil Walk. It was an eye opener, hundreds of millions of years of history for us to discover.
My 10yr old son loved it, mostly because once he built up the courage to ask questions Anthea and Koen were very engaging and generous with their time.
I was amazed that after a couple of minutes of guidance the group could go and find fossils on our own. Once you found one, you then couldn’t stop finding them!
Highly recommend this for young and old.”
“Anthea is a wonderful leader, navigating the glorious Wicklow Mountains with consumate ease while sharing her extensive knowledge of the geology and ecology of the area. The pace of trek and of delivery was perfect. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough and have already begun arrangements to join Anthea again soon. Martina Clancy”
Recent writing project -
Recent writing project -
A booklet I wrote to accompany the 'Prism of Research' conference on research culture, held at Imperial College London on 2 April 2025. Writing this was a real pleasure. The work was developed under Dr Stephen Webster's thoughtful editorial guidance, with illustrations by Ella Miodownik, artist-in-residence for The Good Science Project, and design by Carly Murphy-Merrydew, Keeping the wolves at bay.
The conference itself was memorable. Time to reflect on research culture is precious and badly needed, and the event made space for insightful discussions on many facets of culture, from ethics, to evaluation, to publishing. I was honoured to participate in a panel discussion on AI and the craft of science, where I shared my thoughts on fieldwork and the vital role of nature connection in science and science communication.
The conference was organised by the Good Science Project, an Imperial-wide initiative aiming to promote debate about contemporary research culture, funded by Research England. Learn more about the event:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/189521/prism-of-research-a-conference-on-research-culture/
About Nature Tales & Trails
Nature Tales & Trails was founded by Dr Anthea Lacchia, a geologist, writer and qualified mountain leader and lowland leader, to help connect people to nature and the environment. Anthea has a PhD on Ireland's fossils, and decades of experience hiking in Ireland, the UK and her native Italian Alps. Her background is in research, journalism, writing and science communication. If you are looking for a qualified leader to take you on an environment, geology, or nature-themed walk or hike that is tailored to your interests, please get in touch. Anthea also volunteers as Assistant Regional Coordinator for Ireland for the Mountain Training Association. For communications and writing services, visit the Portfolio section of the website.
Hiking & walks testimonials
“I have hiked with Anthea on lots of occasions. Every single time she planned everything meticulously and organised everything, from trails to accommodation. All I needed to do was show up. Anthea possesses a wealth of knowledge about the natural world, always teaching and disseminating insights on plants, birds and of course, geology. The paces of her hikes are tailored to the needs and ability of the group she is guiding. Always proactive, her ability to replan in no time at all due to changes in weather adds to her already fantastic attributes as a guide. She even had extra waterproof pants for all of us! I cannot recommend Anthea highly enough. Book with her for an experience of a lifetime.”
-Halleluya Ekandjo
“An unforgettable adventure is waiting for you - book a nature walk or a geology walk with Anthea. She is an excellent guide!”
-Maja Es
“We had a wonderful hike today with Kamila and Anthea, on a less trodden path from Laragh to Glendalough. What a great way to spend a Sunday morning. A workout for your heart and soul.”
— David D. August 2023
“[…] OMG what an amazing day. Thank you so much Kamila and Anthea. It was a mindful, forest/nature bathing hike. Just amazing and so beautiful. I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend this experience to everyone to do. Thank you again Kamila and Anthea. You will see me again. Ann x"
— Ann F. October 2023”
“I joined the Geology peer-to-peer session in the Wicklow Mountains organized by Nature Tales & Trails, which proved to be an enlightening experience, blending adventure and education in a unique way.
Our knowledgeable guide, Anthea, led us on a hike, unraveling the geological formations and mysteries hidden within the landscape. The session was highly interactive, fostering plenty of discussion and theoretical exploration. Anthea broadened my understanding of stunning rock formations, and hiking through the land felt like a journey of discovery into the world of geology.
I highly recommend this experience to anyone with a passion for geology or a thirst for outdoor exploration!”
— Marzena Rosiak 2024
Let's go for a hike
Tired of the busy city life? Want to try something different? Walks and hikes are tailored to suit your level of ability and interests. In general, we adopt a relaxed pace and enjoy our surroundings. Adventure calls…
Notice the small things
Connecting to nature can mean different things to different people. At Nature Tales & Trails, we believe in stopping to notice the small things: this could be a quartzite rock hit by sunrise on a summit, a raindrop clinging on to moss in the forest, or a tiny, blue jay feather glistening between fallen leaves. By immersing ourselves in nature and respecting and protecting our environment, we can start to feel more hopeful about the world, given the climate and biodiversity emergency we are in.
Learn in nature
Nature and geology walks and fossil walks are an opportunity to discover something new. Want to learn more about Ireland's wonderful geology, flora and fauna? From the landscape, to birdsong, to extinct animals lurking in the rocks we stand on, to moths and butterfly, nature is the best classroom.
Some of our specialist services
Geology walk or talk
Are you curious about what lies beneath your feet? Learn about geology and Ireland's billion-year-old geological history in a talk or walk which can be tailored to suit adults or children.
Fabulous fossils walk or talk
From dinosaurs to ammonites, what are fossils and where can you see them in Ireland? Become a fossil hunter for the day and learn about Ireland's wonderful fossils hidden inside its rocks. This walk or talk can be tailored to suit an audience of adults or children.
This is a virtual consultation lasting 50 minutes.
The call is about science communication/science writing career options and resources. I can also discuss what it is like to get started in and work in science journalism. Bring your questions and receive advice and tailored notes afterwards.
Geology and landscape course for hikers, guides, mountain leaders and providers, and mountain leader trainees
Are you a hiker or a hike leader curious to learn more about how landscapes form? Maybe you would like to add geology and landscape knowledge to your hikes or instruction. Learn the basics of geology in this one-day course delivered outdoors. From geological history, to mountain building events, volcanoes, rock types and glaciation, learn about what shapes the landscapes we enjoy.